Australia, Turf

Messara UK Interview 1: New Era Of Racing Admin & Promotion
In a major interview with the UK Racing Post, Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara (president of Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia & chairman of Aushorse) was asked: "What was the best thing that happened in the bloodstock industry in 2007?" He replied: "For us in Australia, the alignment of breeders' associations (Aushorse & Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia) & the reform of the administrative bodies of racing in the various states. This will hopefully herald a new era of sophistication in the administration & promotion of the sport of racing." (Jan 14)

Messara UK Interview 2: Investment Markets Will Support Yearlings
John Messara was also asked by Racing Post: "What do you foresee for the yearling sales market in 2008?" He replied: "The Equine Influenza crisis has impacted on the confidence of buyers, as many of last year's yearling sale purchases have not raced due to the cancellation of race meetings. It is therefore difficult to predict accurately what the market will do. With resumption of racing back on track, I expect things will gradually normalise & the markets will be reasonable. Certainly in Australia, people's discretionary incomes have been on the rise due to excellent growth in the investment markets & this usually has a positive effect on the yearling market. The success of Australian-bred horses in Hong Kong & elsewhere internationally will hopefully generate continued support from the foreign buying bench." (Jan 14)

Messara UK Interview 3: Charge Forward 1st-Season Sire Pick
John Messara was also asked by Racing Post to "name your top 3 1st-season sire picks". He replied: "Charge Forward (standing at his own Arrowfield Stud). I like this young stallion. He is totally free of Northern Dancer, so there's a lot riding on his success. Al Maher (standing at Emirates Park Stud) has the credentials to succeed & Not A Single Doubt (also at Arrowfield), a son of Redoute's Choice, is throwing some precocious-looking stock." (Jan 14)

Messara UK Interview 4: Competitors Are Other Leisure & Gambling
John Messara was also asked by Racing Post to name his "New Year's resolution for the industry". He replied: "That the various industry governing bodies stop seeing each other as competitors, but rather join up to beat their real competitors: other forms of leisure & gambling. Racing's share of the gambling & leisure revenues has diminished over the years. It's time for the various components of the racing industry to have a much more unified approach to their future. The fundamental of our sport is to produce the safest, most competitive contest among the best available equine athletes. If we don't create the framework for this to happen Australia-wide, then we have less than the best to package & promote, against an increasingly sophisticated array of other leisure forms." (Jan 14)